Chapter 1707

Yan Tianlu this time came not only to bring a congratulatory gift for Hu Xiaotian's grand wedding, but also to see his own son. Yan Xuanming has already been serving under Hu Xiaotian for many years, receiving Hu Xiaotian's heavy trust, becoming the governor of Wuxing Commandery, his civil administration achievements are remarkable. Moreover, Yan Xuanming has long established a family and branched out, having two children. Seeing his descendants filling the hall, Yan Tianlu is especially delighted; this time he even brought his grandsons and granddaughters to attend the wedding feast, enjoying family bliss.

When Hu Xiaotian arrived at the Yunze Qinglong Bay ferry crossing, the boat Yan Tianlu was on had already arrived. Hu Xiaotian came onto the ferry landing and saw Yan Tianlu holding a grandson in one hand, while Ling San Niang walked beside him smiling brightly, and Yan Xuanming and his wife followed behind with smiles.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian, Yan Tianlu handed the grandson to Ling San Niang, strode over with big steps, and Hu Xiaotian quickly went forward to meet him, clasping his fists and saying: "Yan Island Master! Long time no see, your bearing remains as before!"

Yan Tianlu laughed heartily: "Hu junior, you're being polite, I'm old now, what bearing do I still have?"

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Ling San Niang beside him and smiled: "Still vigorous in old age, how should I address you? Sister-in-law or...?"

Ling San Niang, despite her age, was made to blush by Hu Xiaotian's teasing, and she spat: "Nujiao wasn't wrong; your mouth is indeed sharp. Nujiao is my niece, what should I call you?"

Hu Xiaotian hearing her repeatedly say "Nujiao" felt his face heat up; Ling San Niang's words were not wrong—Yan Nujiao is indeed his wife in fact, she is Yan Tianlu's close niece, and for him to call Yan Tianlu brother is improper.

Yan Tianlu laughed and said: "I have a matter to ask you: since you married the princess and my niece, how will you arrange her?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Impartial!"

Ling San Niang sighed: "Men are all fickle; your words cannot be trusted."

Yan Tianlu said: "I'm not like that."

Fortunately Yan Xuanming came out to mediate: "Father, let's talk as we walk."

Hu Xiaotian originally wanted to invite Yan Tianlu and company to stay in the city, but Yan Tianlu insisted on staying aboard the ship, being accustomed to a life on water, going ashore would actually make him uncomfortable.

Yan Xuanming seized a moment and told Hu Xiaotian: "My cousin has arrived."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jumped. Because he feared Yan Kui would be displeased, he had not sent invitations to the Tianlang Mountain side for this grand wedding; unexpectedly, Yan Nujiao still came. Hu Xiaotian whispered: "Where is she?" He looked around but could not find Yan Nujiao's trace.

Yan Xuanming said: "She went straight to Dongliang Commandery, saying she was going to see the princess."

Hu Xiaotian secretly let out a sigh of relief. Yan Nujiao and Long Xi Yue get along well; she went to see Long Xi Yue instead of coming to see me, on one hand this shows she might be somewhat offended that I didn't send someone to deliver the invitation, on the other hand it proves Yan Nujiao is ice‑snow smart, understands the bigger picture, knows priorities, after this grand wedding. It clarified Long Xi Yue's status as the principal wife; although in my heart I make no distinction of seniority or juniority, and have no bias, yet since we live in this era we must follow its rules. If we were to substitute my previous life's society. Such a left‑right embrace, enjoying the blessings of many women, is virtually impossible; even if achievable, one could not settle the inner turmoil of many beauties. Different eras have different moral standards. In the present era, polygamy is natural and proper; for a man, Hu Xiaotian indeed has caught the best of times; if so, why not properly enjoy the benefits bestowed by the era?

Hu Xiaotian also told Yan Xuanming. This time Bohai State will also send an envoy; since Hu Xiaotian caused a great disturbance in Bohai State, the relations between Bohai State, Mangjiao Island, and Hu Xiaotian have shifted from past opposition to alliance, and through their joint effort a maritime alliance has already been formed in the eastern sea, whose strength can rival Da Yong. Both Bohai State and Mangjiao Island have felt the benefits of the alliance; although they possess marine resources, on the continent they must find a reliable foothold, and Hu Xiaotian has become their mutual choice.

The Shajia envoy ultimately decided to set up camp on the grassland by Yunze Lake; according to them, even having reached the Central Plains, they are still unaccustomed to the local food and lifestyle. They prefer herding horses and sheep, galloping across the grasslands. Although this grassland of Yunze is already not small, in the eyes of the Shajia people it is still not broad enough; the Central Plains holds too many things they cannot comprehend, they are not used to eating with chopsticks, they are not used to sleeping in beds, they even find the refined, pedantic way Central Plains people speak very laughable, they dislike the damp climate here; if one were to say where they like most, it should be this lake ahead.

Hu Xiaotian approached the Shajia people's camp and almost thought he had come onto the great prairie; seeing that more than ten tents had sprung up in just a short afternoon, he couldn't help but laugh helplessly; in the center of the camp several bonfires had already been lit, and the Shajia warriors were roasting sheep over the fire.

The aroma of the barbecue drifted far on the wind, the picturesque clear‑mountain‑clear‑water surroundings were enveloped by this scent, seeming to lose its former brightness, yet gaining more vitality.

Hu Xiaotian thought, fortunately there are no urban management officers now, otherwise they would surely come to confiscate their barbecue equipment.

Hu Xiaotian also specially brought a hundred jars of fine wine for the Shajia envoy on this trip, and had his soldiers move the wine over.

Her Dan laughed: "Big Brother Hu, you indeed kept your promise; I had people roast a whole sheep, tonight we brothers will drink until we can't go home."

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily; at this moment Meng Ya came out of the tent again, seeing that it was Hu Xiaotian who had arrived, while Zhao Wusheng had not yet come, her beautiful eyes dimmed, she turned and went back into the tent. Hu Xiaotian deliberately said to Her Dan: "Meng Ya seems not very happy."

Her Dan said: "She's always like that; ignore her, let's drink."

At that moment the sound of retching came from behind; it was Xia Zhangming supporting Zhao Wusheng as they walked over. Xia Zhangming had been sent by Hu Xiaotian's order to fly to Wuxing Commandery to fetch Zhao Wusheng. Upon hearing that Meng Ya had arrived, Zhao Wusheng, after great effort, had finally overcome his inner obstacle, made up his mind, and rode the Snow Eagle together with Xia Zhangming. Although the flight from Wuxing Commandery to Baiquan City took less than two hours, it frightened Zhao Wusheng so much that his seven souls fled and six spirits vanished; after landing he vomited incessantly, but by now he had vomited everything out, his face deathly pale, looking as if he had suffered a serious illness.

Hu Xiaotian, seeing Zhao Wusheng's state, couldn't help but chuckle inwardly; Zhao Wusheng is resourceful and courageous, yet he is afraid of heights—if he hadn't heard that his beloved was coming, he probably would not have dared to ride the Snow Eagle over.

Hu Xiaotian deliberately said: "Zhao Wusheng, what's wrong with you?"

Before his words finished, Meng Ya came flying out of the tent; hearing Zhao Wusheng's name, she had been somewhat doubtful, but seeing Zhao Wusheng standing not far away, her beautiful eyes instantly filled with tears; she ran over, while Zhao Wusheng, though wanting to go forward, was still shaken and again lowered his head to retch.

Meng Ya stopped before Zhao Wusheng: "You… why didn't you come look for me?"

Zhao Wusheng felt so awful he could not speak, waving his hands repeatedly.

Meng Ya stamped her foot: "I won't bother with you anymore!" She had been thinking of seeing Zhao Wusheng, but now that she truly saw him, she turned and fled.

Zhao Wusheng looked bewildered: "Meng Ya…"

Hu Xiaotian gave him a look: "Why not chase after her quickly?" In gauging a girl's heart, Zhao Wusheng is far behind him by many levels; after his reminder Zhao Wusheng came to his senses and then stumbled forward in pursuit. Hu Xiaotian transmitted via voice: "First act pitiful; if that doesn't work, just force your way in."

Her Dan, although standing right beside Hu Xiaotian, hadn't heard what he said, and strangely remarked: "Zhao Wusheng seems ill!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "People in love are all sick!"

Her Dan carefully considered it, then nodded repeatedly: "Big Brother Hu, this saying is indeed true wisdom; I admire you, I admire you!" Although he is older than Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian is the sworn brother of his twelfth elder brother Huoge; according to Shajia custom, he too should be treated with elder‑brother etiquette.

Xia Zhangming completed his mission and departed leisurely.

Her Dan invited Hu Xiaotian to sit by the bonfire; the whole sheep had already been roasted, they had specially brought a chef from Shajia, watching the chef skillfully use a pointed knife to break down the whole sheep, the knife's proficiency and the accuracy of each cut—at a glance one knows this chef is also an expert.

Her Dan had two jars of wine brought over, each opened one for himself and Hu Xiaotian; they clinked the jars, then directly gulped several big mouthfuls from the jar openings. Her Dan praised: "Good wine, good wine; they say the Central Plains produces fine wine, and indeed the reputation is not undeserved."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Junior brother, do you still have a good impression of the Central Plains?" His remark carried a double meaning; everyone knows the Shajia people have coveted the Central Plains for decades, but due to lacking strength their invasions were merely thunder with little rain, only harassing the borders, never penetrating inland. However, over the past ten or more years Shajia's strength has rapidly increased; under the leadership of Khagan Sangmuza, they have united the various Shajia tribes, waged war in all directions, and now both their territory and troop numbers have reached the peak of Shajia's historical prosperity.

When national strength grows strong, it inevitably breeds ambition in those seeking higher position; Sangmuza is also a man of lofty aspirations, and his heart has once again given rise to the idea of invading the Central Plains. Xichuan Li Tianheng is his children's parent‑in‑law, and the twelfth prince Huoge is Li Tianheng's son‑in‑law; because of this marriage alliance, both sides have maintained non‑aggression, yet such friendly relations are destined not to last long.

Earlier, when the Kingdom of Tianxiang selected a prince consort, Shajia sent Her Dan there; their purpose was not only to marry the princess and establish friendly relations with Tianxiang, but they also hoped to obtain the betrothal gift of Redwood River without spending a single soldier through this means; however, Hu Xiaotian's sudden emergence dashed the wishes of all the powers, including Shajia.

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